Biography

Once Upon A Time…” is how theatrical illusionist Allen Valentine always begins.

His unique style of using Magic to tell story lines, is deep rooted in his past that started at the very young age of eight years old.

As his mother drove him home from the dentist after having two teeth pulled, she decided to cheer him up by stopping at a locale toy store to get him a surprise, that, would soon turn into a life long obsession, she bought him… a Magic set.

The lure of Magic lasted even after the novocain wore off. The young magician quickly became a regular at the magic shop in his native long Island. He studied the latest tricks and read every book he could find on the subject.

Also having a strong desire to study theater, and film, Allen would eventually enroll and study at New York Tech. Where he wrote, directed, produced, and starred in five short feature films. At the same time, he was performing magic in restaurants, and high profile nightclubs like the Palladium, Limelight, and the Cafe Versailles Theater.

“What I was learning in my film, and theater classes, I started to apply to my nightclub act. Things like character development, plot line structure, conflict, plus music, dance, and acting.” he recalls.

A talent scout for the Trump organization discovered Allen in Manhattan and brought him to Atlantic City to be the same time, he wasperforming magicin restaurants, and high profile nightclubs like the Palladium, Limelight, and the Cafe Versailles Theater.

“What I was learning in my film, and theater classes, I started to apply to my nightclub act. Things like character development, plot line structure, conflict, plus music, dance, and acting.” he recalls.

A talent scout for the Trump organization discovered Allen in Manhattan and brought him to Atlantic City to be the Resident Magician at the Trump Taj Mahal and for six years Allen performed in the production shows in the theater, as well as close up magic in the gourmet restaurants, and high roller parties. Eventually, Donald Trump and his executives at Trump Plaza gave Allen the big break with a two year contract to produce and star in his own production. “Was I nervous?… Yes, it was a career defining moment for me.” he says. But with the show opening, came standing ovations, and rave reviews from the press. Chuck Darrow of the Philadelphia inquirer crows, ” This talented young illusionist’s use of blending magic and story lines is brilliant,” and Bill Kent from The New York Times says, “This extremely unique and highly entertaining production features a powerhouse performer.”

Finally, Allen confesses, “What means the most to me about the huge success this show is having, is that, like my idols (Walt Disney, and Steven Speilberg), I try to go after everyone in the audience…I appeal to the masses.”